Alexander rolled his eyes. “You can find enough trouble on your own my friend. You do not need my help. You just use me as an excuse.”
“Look who’s talking, Brother.” Xavier then directed his words at Emily. “Your boy here is a genuine rule breaker, a bad boy. He did something that has never been done before. He’s breaking all the laws…well not all of them…yet.” Xavier chuckled.
Alexander quickly stood up to face Xavier. He was about two inches taller than his friend and used that advantage to lean over him. “What is it going to take to shut your mouth friend? I didn’t get all my frustration out on those bottom feeders tonight so I am certainly up to a wrestling match. You know, instill a bit of humility in you.”
“None of that,” Emily said firmly, standing between them, “or I will stick you both in a corner. I think I’ve had enough for one night.”
She pushed against Alexander’s chest.
“Oh, Emily, you’re no fun. I haven’t had a chance to beat on him in a while,” Xavier pouted.
Alexander gave his loud laugh. “Don’t act so sad. I’m sure you’ll get your chance sooner or later.” He patted his friend on the back.
Emily was starting to understand the unusual friendship among these two. They were both so different, but she knew their bond ran deep. Even when they sounded angry at each other, they really weren’t.
Emily gave a yawn. “It’s been a more than overwhelming day and I’m ready for bed. I appreciate that you’re here, Xavier, but I would like some privacy. So if you don’t mind; you can stay in the house but it needs to be somewhere other than my bedroom.” Emily smiled wide even though she felt her body drooping deeper into exhaustion with each second.
“Oh, yeah I get it,” Xavier teased as he looked at Alexander. “Just don’t go breaking any more rules. At least not tonight.”
“You know it’s not like that. Now get lost,” Alexander retorted, and before another word could be said Xavier disappeared from the room.
Emily gave it a moment. Listening carefully she heard some thuds and thumps in the kitchen. “Is he going through my kitchen cabinets?” Emily laughed.
“Yeah probably. That is something he would definitely do.” Alexander shook his head.
“I thought Guardians didn’t get hungry?”
“Xavier is far from a normal Guardian. So everything I have told you about me, just assume the opposite with him.”
Emily wrapped her arms around Alexander’s thick, hard waistline; placing her cheek against his chest. Alexander’s mouth rested on the top of her head and Emily could feel his rhythmic breath lightly blowing her hair each time he exhaled.
“If only things could stay exactly like this. Just me and Alexander, safe and together.”
Alexander had promised that everything would be all right and after witnessing how strongly he fought for her tonight, Emily knew she should trust him. But pessimism had a way of creeping its way into her heart and mind. It had grown increasingly difficult to keep negative thoughts at bay ever since her mother had died. Emily was so certain her mother would survive her battle with cancer. Then six months later, she was proven wrong. The memory of her mother’s cruel passing made her cringe.
Emily squeezed his waist even tighter.
“It’s all going to work out,” Alexander assured, once again as though he were pulling Emily’s thought directly from her head.
“It’s just that… What if it doesn’t?” Emily was thinking about her mother.
“Do you want to know why it’s going to be okay?” Alexander asked, searching downward for her eyes.
“Why?”
“Because there is more to all of this than just love. Fate and destiny are involved. I know it was no coincidence that I fell in love with you. There is a higher power at work here, and we should trust in it.”
“You’re right.” Emily gave another yawn.
Before she had her mouth closed, Alexander scooped her up in one fluid motion and walked the few steps to her bed. Using only one arm to support all of her weight, he pulled back the covers with his free hand. Setting her down in the middle of her bed he then tucked the covers around her. Taking a seat on the cedar chest at the foot of her bed, he placed his warm hands on the cover over her feet, rubbing her toes that peeked upward.
Emily closed her eyes and lay there for a few moments. The weakness in her body and each of her limbs was crying out for sleep, but she could not shut her mind off. After shifting her weight and changing her position a few times, she opened her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Alexander asked. “Am I keeping you awake? Do you want me to leave the room?”
“No don’t leave. I’m exhausted but I just can’t seem to shut my brain off. I guess I’m thinking about too many things,” Emily complained.
“I know just the thing for that.” Alexander jumped up and left the room before Emily could even ask him what he was doing. She could hear his footsteps travel down the hall and then after only a moment, were on their way back. Emily was surprised to see what Alexander had in his hands when he came into the room.
Shutting the door behind him, he placed the violin case down on Emily’s dresser. He carefully removed the instrument and then walked over and sat on the side of her bed.
“What are you up to?” Emily couldn’t help but smile. Alexander’s body builder physique dwarfed the antique violin. If she hadn’t already heard him play she would expect his large hands to crush it.
“Edmund used to play a lullaby at night for Catherine.”
“And you remember it?” Emily asked in disbelief.
“Of course. I will never be able to forget the sweet melodies that used to flow from this old violin.” Alexander’s finger gently stroked the strings down the length of the neck.
“Every time I think I get used to you, I find myself in total awe.” Emily sighed.
“That’s good. Maybe if I make you feel that way you will keep me around.” Alexander winked.
“Oh, I plan on keeping you around, whether you like it or not,” Emily sleepily promised.
Alexander leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. “You relax and go to sleep.”
Emily felt just like the violin, coddled and protected by Alexander’s powerful hands. It was so wonderful to feel so precious to him.
Sitting up straight, Alexander caressed the violin to his chin. Emily could see each muscle in his body grow soft as he delicately handled the old treasure. She expected him to give a few test strokes or hear the violin squeak out of tune when he first ran the bow across, but it didn’t. The sound that came from the instrument was rich, deep, and completely in tune. Emily instantly sank back into her pillow, letting her eyes close again.
The melody was slow with long drawn out notes, and never once did Alexander fumble or make a mistake. Emily could appreciate the power of music; it was a huge part of her life, but this song seemed to have an actual physical effect on her. Each note put her deeper and deeper to sleep. Before Alexander was finished playing, Emily was sound asleep.
*********
The clanging of pots and pans in the kitchen woke her.
Emily was stunned to see light flooding into her bedroom from the window. It was morning already. She had slept straight through the night. Stretching her arms up above, she breathed in deeply. From the corner of her eye she could see Alexander’s silhouette at the side of her bed. The light shone brightly around him, outlining his perfect shape.
“He may not be an angel, but he is close enough.”
“Good morning.” Alexander smiled.
“MMMM, morning.” Emily gave a little yawn.
“Did you get enough sleep?” Alexander whispered.
“Yeah, I did. What time is it?’ Emily glanced at the clock on her nightstand.
“Eight-thirty.”
“Wow, I slept a long time.” Emily stretched again.
“Yeah, you are a good sleeper…and a good snorer.”
“No!” Emily covered h
er mouth, completely mortified at the thought. “I don’t snore, you’re teasing me.”
“How would you know if you snore?” Alexander protested.
“I guess I wouldn’t, but snoring is something old men do—not me.”
Alexander gave a boisterous laugh. “I guess it’s just for me to know then.”
Emily put her finger to her lips signaling Alexander to be quiet. But as she did so she heard laughter coming from the kitchen. She paused to listen more carefully.
She recognized her father’s laugh but there was someone else with him. Emily shot Alexander a questioning look, but he just raised his shoulders in response.
Throwing back the covers Emily leapt from her bed and rushed from her room. The laughter echoed down the hallway once more, but this time she recognized the second voice.
There was no hiding the shock on Emily’s face as she rounded the wall into the kitchen. At the island, where the stovetop was located, stood her father and Xavier. Her father was cracking eggs over a bowl while Xavier sliced vegetables. The two men looked up to see Emily’s confused expression.
“Mornin’ sweetie,” her father called out.
Emily didn’t respond, instead she just stood there staring, her mouth half open in disbelief.
“Why do you look so surprised? You know Xavier.” Her father motioned to his left where Xavier stood beside him.
“Do you?” Emily was troubled.
There were now three male voices laughing out loud as she felt Alexander move up behind her.
“It’s okay Emily, he knows everything.” Alexander placed his hands on her shoulders.
“Yeah, surprise!” Xavier threw his hands out to the sides.
“What do you mean he knows everything?” Emily concluded that she had to be dreaming, the scene before her just didn’t make any sense.
“We discussed this last night, remember? You said that this is what you wanted.” Alexander was rubbing her shoulders now.
“Yeah I remember that all right, but when on earth did all of this happen?” She pointed toward her father and Xavier.
“Breakfast always happens in the morning Emily, you should know that,” Xavier teased.
The three men laughed again. Emily thought they were all enjoying this a little too much.
“Last night, after you were asleep, your father came home and we spoke with him then.” Alexander led her to the barstool at the island.
She felt for the chair beneath her and sat down, never taking her eyes off of the two men before her. It was silent for just a moment as they all waited for Emily to respond.
“So I take it you’re okay with all of this, Daddy?”
“Yeah why wouldn’t I be?” Her father whisked some milk in with the eggs.
“I guess I just thought you would be a little shocked, maybe in denial, uhh concerned, confused… I don’t know, take your pick.”
“I was all of those,” her father answered. “I haven’t really slept all night. It took me a while to absorb all of this new information. But just like you, I got to a point where I couldn’t deny it and just accepted it for what it was.”
“How did you guys convince him?” Emily glanced at Xavier and then Alexander.
“Hey now, you guys promised not to tell her.” Her father pointed a finger at each of them.
“Tell me what?”
“The information Xavier disclosed to convince him that we are around watching, when no one else is. Also, his initial reaction to watching Xavier appear out of thin air,” Alexander explained with a smirk.
“Hey, hey, hey, that’s far enough,” James scolded him.
Emily couldn’t help but give a little laugh. This was all so unbelievable, and here her father was concerned with some possibly embarrassing facts about himself. “That’s okay Dad, I don’t need to know how. I’m still shocked that you believe all this.”
“I guess I’m still trying to recover myself. I didn’t even realize it was morning until Xavier suggested that we whip up some breakfast. You know Xavier here is quite the chef. He has got some great ideas and awesome recipes.”
“Well I don’t like to brag but…,” Xavier began.
“Yes you do. You brag all the time, so don’t feed us that line,” Alexander interrupted.
“Yeah, I guess he’s right, I do like to brag, I am awesome in more ways than one, no doubt about it.” Xavier gave a big grin as he turned to the fridge to fetch more ingredients.
Emily turned her attention back to her father. “Have you gotten used to that?”
“What’s that?” her father questioned.
“The way these two go at it. I was around it yesterday evening and it’s like watching two eight year old boys on the playground.” Emily rolled her eyes.
Alexander laughed. “That is not fair at all. Xavier is the trouble maker.”
Emily just gave an ‘I told you so’ look to her father which made him smile.
“They can be amusing, that’s for sure, but I have to say it’s nice to have some other guys around.”
“Yeah a little more testosterone in this house is a definite need.” Xavier placed the cheese down and pounded his chest.
Emily shook her head.
“My life will never be the same.”
“So then, Dad, you’re okay with Alexander? I mean, you know, him and me… together,” she stammered.
Xavier now erupted in a wave of laughter, as though Emily had just told some sort of joke. “You should have been awake last night, Em. After we convinced your dad about everything, Alexander then gave him the more interesting details. You know, about you and him.” He laughed again, but then pulled himself together to finish his thought. “I don’t think I have ever seen Alexander sweat bullets like that. Your dad was giving him the third degree like none other. I wasn’t sure Alex here was going to make it.”
All the men gave an agreeable snicker, but then Emily noticed her father look over her shoulders at Alexander and smile. She knew that somehow even in that small amount of time, in the dark of night, they had bonded. Her father had accepted him.
“I’m okay with everything. I can’t say that I didn’t initially want to go get my bat and shoo him out the door, but I know his intentions are honorable. He’s a true gentleman and those are scarce these days. Besides it’s not like the bat would have done me a lot of good,” her father joked.
“Thanks James,” Alexander said quietly.
“I still don’t see how everything is going to work out in the future for you two, but I’ve seen some changes in you these past weeks. I wasn’t sure you were ever going to come out of that shell you had formed around yourself. I now know that Alexander was the reason you broke through those barriers. The happiness he provides you is all I could ask for as your father.” He looked somewhat teary-eyed.
Turning around to finally look at Alexander, Emily could see the same emotion in his eyes. This was still so like a dream and she expected to wake up at any moment.
“What more could I ask for? I have the man of my dreams; my father knows everything and is okay with it. This can’t get any better.”
Her joy was overflowing in that moment, but then was quickly diminished as she remembered all that had transpired the night before. Emily didn’t realize that her thoughts were so clearly expressed on her face until Alexander frowned at her.
“What is that look for? I thought you were happy?” Alexander asked.
“Oh, I am, I’m so happy. It’s just a little overshadowed by everything else we need to worry about right now. Did you tell my dad all that stuff too?”
“Yes we did,” Alexander said.
Emily turned back around to meet her father’s face but he had already dropped what he was doing and was making his way around the island.
“The boys told me everything. Emily, I think you need to know that I have complete confidence in their ability to protect us. We did some planning last night and I’m sure everything is going to work out. You don’t need
to worry, sweetie.” He gently brushed the top of her head with his hand.
“You sound too much like Alexander,” Emily groaned. There she was, permanently sandwiched between two slices of unfailing optimists. It wasn’t a bad place to be, except it only made Emily feel all the more displaced.
“Why am I the only one that thinks negatively? What is wrong with me? Aahh, there I go again, I have got to snap out of this.”
Her father paused a moment, he knew she struggled to see the bright side of things ever since her mother’s death. Emily had a hard time accepting hope without dousing it with her doubts and fears. He weighed his words carefully.
“Emily, I’ve been around for a while, not as long as these guys.” He glanced at the two Guardians. “But long enough in my life to know that everything happens for a reason. And even though I don’t know the reason for what is happening, I can’t help but feel that it’s not to have you come under any sort of harm. There is something bigger here for you, in fact, the both of you. I just know it. Call it parental intuition.”
Emily could feel the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
She was blessed with such a loving father and she couldn’t help but be grateful for his constant support and wisdom. She leaned forward and gave her father a tight embrace. Her only hope was that she too would somehow receive a confirmation that all this chaos had purpose. She wanted to hear that internal voice that could not be doubted or dismissed—the feeling that drove her father and Alexander to be so confident, so strong.
“Thanks Daddy,” she whispered as she gained control of her emotions. Emily had done enough crying last night and she didn’t want to start again; it was too early.
Her father eventually pulled away and went back to work making breakfast. Clearing his throat a few times, he tried to make sure his own tears were dammed up.
“So there are some things we need to do before we leave,” her father began after he had himself fully composed. “I’m going to go into the office later today to get some affairs in order. Today and tomorrow we’ll do some packing, and then on Monday I’ll go to your school and get as much of your work for you as possible. You already missed the last few days, so I’ll tell them you’ve got something like mono and that should be a good enough excuse to have you out of school for the next few weeks.” He glanced up to see if Emily was following what he was saying.
Son of Eden, a Paranormal Romance Page 21